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EECS Study Abroad Program

"People often ask 'Why would you leave the best EE/CS university in the world to study abroad at a university likely teaching your subject at a lower caliber?' But you don't study abroad to learn CS. You already have three or four years (or more, if graduate school is in the cards) to do just that. You study abroad to gain perspective, to ask yourself 'where do I fit in in this world?' To learn other lifestyles. To learn a new language. To develop an identity outside of the academic one that you've known for the last decade of your life. To develop into your own independent person apart from things and people you've known."

Yuan Yuan, CS B.A. 2017

Study Abroad and EECS

The academic integration of study abroad into the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science makes the option of international education a reality! Engage the breadth and depth of EE and CS while exploring a global perspective and gaining academic credit towards your degree.

Why Study Abroad?

Studying abroad allows our majors to broaden their horizons and gain an international perspective. Students can take advantage of these opportunities to learn about and participate in developing research in other countries.

Study abroad will help students:

Develop skills that are critical to a science education

Take advantage of unique academic and experiential opportunities in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Participate in a different educational system and get a comparative perspective on the study of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Increase language proficiency

Improve critical thinking skills

Experience another culture firsthand

Develop self-confidence and independence

Enhance resumes and/or applications for graduate school

Prepare for a career in an internationally competitive world

When Can I Study Abroad?

While students can study abroad at just about any point in their academic careers, the particular term and length of time chosen to study abroad depends on the requirements a student has left to complete the major and whether or not they plan to take courses towards the major while abroad.

Schedule an appointment with your major advisor before traveling abroad to create a program plan. Your advisor can help you determine how to best fit a study abroad experience into your academic schedule.

What Classes Can I take?

In addition to their general education requirements, EECS and CS students have a wide variety of options in completing major requirements abroad. Many of the Berkeley Study Abroad partner universities have specific Electrical Engineering and Computer Science departments/programs or offer relevant courses through other departments. Please meet with your major advisor to determine if your Berkeley Study Abroad courses will satisfy major requirements. View a list of our pre-approved courses.

Even if the BSA courses do not fulfill major or college requirements, Berkeley Study Abroad programs offer amazing experiences to add to your academic repertoire. Our students have taken a wide variety of courses all around the world such as New Zealand, Hong Kong, London, Singapore, Chile, and Taiwan.

Getting Course Approved

EECS and CS students can apply up to three approved upper division study abroad courses towards the major requirements, and one course approved upper division study abraod course towards the minor requirements. View a list of our pre-approved courses here. Study abroad courses that are not yet listed must be evaluated and approved before your study abroad experience commences. Students who wish to fulfill major requirements with study abroad courses must submit the course syllabus and any other course details through: